Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Entergy Corporation)

            Entergy grants stock awards, which are described more fully in Note 12 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K.  Awards under Entergy's plans generally vest over three years.

Stock Options

            Entergy granted 552,400 stock options during the first quarter 2012 with a weighted-average fair value of $9.42.  At March 31, 2012, there are 10,174,958 stock options outstanding with a weighted-average exercise price of $77.47.  The intrinsic value, which has no effect on net income, of the outstanding stock options is calculated by the difference in the weighted average exercise price of the stock options granted and Entergy Corporation's common stock price as of March 31, 2012.  Because Entergy's stock price at March 31, 2012 is less than the weighted average exercise price, the aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2012 is zero.  The intrinsic value of "in the money" stock options is $25.4 million as of March 31, 2012.

The following table includes financial information for stock options for the first quarter for each of the years presented:

	2012	2011
	(In Millions)
Compensation expense included in Entergy's net income for the first quarter	$2.1	$3.0
Tax benefit recognized in Entergy's net income for the first quarter	$0.8	$1.2
Compensation cost capitalized as part of fixed assets and inventory as of March 31,	$0.4	$0.6

Restricted Stock Awards

            In January 2012, the Board approved and Entergy granted 339,700 restricted stock awards under the 2007 Equity Ownership and Long-term Cash Incentive Plan.  The grants were made effective as of January 26, 2012 and were valued at $71.30 per share, which was the closing price of Entergy's common stock on that date.  One-third of the restricted stock awards will vest upon each anniversary of the grant date and are expensed ratably over the three year vesting period.  Shares of restricted stock have the same dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered issued and outstanding shares of Entergy upon vesting.

The following table includes financial information for restricted stock for the first quarter for each of the years presented:

	2012	2011
	(In Millions)
Compensation expense included in Entergy's net income for the first quarter	$2.9	$1.0
Tax benefit recognized in Entergy's net income for the first quarter	$1.1	$0.4
Compensation cost capitalized as part of fixed assets and inventory as of March 31,	$0.5	$0.2